I’m Steve Lawes
Certified Church Consultant
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Church in Decline? Plateaud?
Helping Churches Thrive
Utilizing a process we call “Virtual Church Consulting” we work with you through a series of steps to help pinpoint problems and offer solutions. This all online church consulting method is effective and affordable.
Internet Impact (Learn about your digital footprint)
Community Statistics (Learn about your community)
Effective Outreach Ideas (Learn how to reach your community)
Church Marketing (Help your community learn about your church)
Internet Impact
Your website is the “digital foyer” for the church. It is the first impression for almost everyone that visits your church.
Community Statistics
Demographic information is helpful in getting an overview of what is happening in your community.
Church Marketing
Church marketing is a tool to help people who are in need of what your church offers to be able to connect with you.
Effective Outreach Ideas
An outreach strategy is a specific set of tactics intended to ultimately attract new people to your church.
Meet Steve Lawes
Steve Lawes is a Certified Church Consultant. He has been the lead Pastor of Keys Vineyard Church in Big Pine Key since 1992. He has a Bachelors Degree in Bible and Theology from Berean University and Masters and PhD Degrees from Atlantic Coast Theological Seminary. He lead the Cuba Missions Team for Vineyard Missions from 1995-2005 and traveled to Cuba more than twenty times helping to plant churches and build up local leaders. He served as the South Florida Area Leader for the Association of Vineyard Churches for ten years. He also founded the Jesus Moment Bible Institute and Seminary in 2014 which has a student enrollment of over 2000. He has written three devotional books, Daily Psalt Intake, Daily Sage Intake and Daily Strength Training which are now out of print but are currently available as free e-books.
Free Ebook - Nine Point Church Consulting Strategy
Recent Posts from Church Consultant
Embracing the True God Amidst Life’s Storms
Understanding the Ten Plagues
The ten plagues, as recounted in Exodus, are often misunderstood. Far from being acts of a vengeful God, they are responses to Pharaoh’s challenge: “Who is the Lord that I should obey him?” Each plague demonstrates God’s sovereignty over the false gods of Egypt and serves as a powerful lesson in recognizing the one true God.
The Plagues as a Reflection of Creation
The sequence of the plagues mirrors the creation story in reverse, moving from order to chaos. This regression serves as a stark reminder of what happens when humanity turns away from God’s path. Yet, even in judgment, God’s intent to save is evident.
Jesus: The Ultimate Exodus
The story of the plagues points us to Jesus Christ, the ultimate deliverer. On the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the darkness and judgment meant for us, offering salvation and reconciliation with God. His sacrifice is the true exodus from sin and death.
Life Application
As we reflect on the message of the plagues and God’s sovereignty, let’s challenge ourselves to recognize and embrace Jesus as the answer to life’s most critical question: Who is the Lord? This week, consider how you can deepen your relationship with Jesus and live out your faith more fully.
Ask yourself:
- How can I demonstrate my trust in God’s sovereignty in my daily life?
- In what ways can I share the truth of Jesus’ saving power with those around me?
- How can my actions reflect the love and salvation that God offers?
By answering these questions and applying the lessons from today’s message, we can live a life that honors God and draws others to Him.
This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Embracing God’s Presence: Lessons from Moses and the Burning Bush
Introduction
In our journey through life, we often seek encounters that transform us, that offer us a glimpse into the divine. The story of Moses and the burning bush is one such transformative encounter, where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, and where God’s presence is revealed in a profound way.
The Call of Moses: A Divine Appointment
Moses, a man with a past marked by both privilege and exile, finds himself in the wilderness, tending to his father-in-law’s flock. It is here, in the mundane routine of his daily work, that he encounters the miraculous—a bush ablaze with fire, yet not consumed. This sight, defying all logic, beckons Moses closer, and he is called by name by the God of his ancestors.
Holy Ground: The Significance of Removing Sandals
As Moses approaches, he is instructed to remove his sandals, for he is standing on holy ground. This act is symbolic, a gesture of reverence and humility before the divine. It is a moment that echoes the sanctity of the holy of holies, a sacred space where one meets with God.
The Mission: Deliverance from Oppression
God reveals His plan to Moses: to rescue the Israelites from the oppression of Egypt. Moses is to confront Pharaoh and lead his people to freedom. This daunting task is met with hesitation by Moses, who doubts his own abilities. Yet, it is a pivotal moment where trust in God’s wisdom is tested.
Meeting with God: How Do We Encounter the Divine?
The burning bush narrative raises the question: How do we, in our modern lives, encounter God? Moses was simply going about his day when he was drawn to something that challenged his understanding of reality. It is in these unexpected moments, when we step out of our busyness, that we can truly encounter the divine.
The Way to God Through Jesus
In the New Testament, we find that meeting with God is made possible through Jesus Christ. His life, death, and resurrection bridge the gap between humanity and God, allowing us to approach the divine without fear. Through faith in Jesus, we are invited into a personal relationship with God, where we can experience His love and grace.
Life Application
As we reflect on the story of Moses and the burning bush, let us challenge ourselves to be attentive to God’s presence in our lives. Take time this week to step out of your routine and seek moments of divine encounter. Ask yourself:
- How can I create space in my busy schedule to meet with God?
- In what ways can I be more open to God’s call, even when it challenges my comfort zone?
- How can my life reflect the trust in God’s wisdom that Moses was called to embody?
Let this week be a time of intentional seeking, of opening your heart to the transformative power of God’s presence. May you, like Moses, say “Here I am” when the divine calls your name.
This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Embracing God’s Sovereignty and Providence
Finding Comfort in God’s Plan
In times of uncertainty and hardship, it’s natural to question the purpose behind our struggles. However, the story of Joseph from the Bible teaches us a profound lesson about the sovereignty and providence of God. Joseph’s life journey—from being sold into slavery to rising to a position of power in Egypt—demonstrates that adversity can be a pathway to fulfilling God’s purposes in our lives.
Understanding God’s Sovereignty
God’s sovereignty is a complex concept, but it’s rooted in the truth that God is infinitely greater than we can comprehend. He is not a deity that can be controlled or manipulated to fit into our limited understanding. Instead, God’s character is revealed through His Word, and it’s through scripture that we come to know His goodness, love, and righteousness.
The Role of Providence in Our Lives
Providence is how God orchestrates events in our lives, even the difficult ones, to achieve His ultimate plan. Joseph’s story is a testament to this. Despite the hardships he faced, each event in his life was used by God to position him to save his family and fulfill the covenant made with Abraham. This shows us that God can use any situation for good, even when it seems impossible from our perspective.
Trusting God’s Timing
One of the most challenging aspects of faith is learning to trust in God’s timing. Patience in trials, as mentioned in the book of James, is not about passive waiting but actively trusting God while continuing to do good. Joseph’s patience and trust in God’s visions, despite his circumstances, are an example for us to follow.
Developing an Active Trust in God
Active trust means not growing weary in doing good, even when the outcome is uncertain. It’s about using our gifts and talents to bless others while trusting that our lives are in God’s hands. This active trust helps us to see beyond our current struggles and focus on the bigger picture of God’s plan for our lives and the world.
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to embrace the sovereignty and providence of God in your life. When faced with adversity, instead of asking why, ask how God might use this situation for good. Reflect on the story of Joseph and consider the following questions:
- How can I develop patience and trust in God’s timing, even when it’s difficult?
- What gifts and talents can I use to serve others while I wait on God’s plan to unfold?
- How can I actively trust God’s goodness, even when my circumstances are challenging?
Remember, God’s sovereignty and providence are at work in your life, weaving together every experience for a greater purpose. Lean into that truth, and let it guide you through the highs and lows of your journey.
This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Testimonials
“Steve and his team at Keys Vineyard Church have built a church that has done an inspiring job reaching their community. Steve is a treasure trove of experience and has continued to prioritize learning and growth throughout his more than 30 years of ministry in a way few pastors have. You’ll get a lot out of connecting with him!”
“I watched first hand as Steve experienced the devastation of hurricane Irma in his town of Big Pine Key, Florida. The town was destroyed, the church building rendered unusable and the staff impacted personally. I watched a leader rise to the need of his community and minister in a situation that not very many could. He has a powerful voice of experience and wisdom earned the hard way.”
“Steve Lawes is a valuable coach/ mentor. I’ve watched Steve over the last thirty years build a substantial outward focused church with disciples who do what Jesus did. He has inspired leaders of churches with simple/tested ideas to develop leaders and grow churches.
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“Steve Lawes is an outstanding coach. He is authentic, creative, and personable. He has more cutting edge ideas than any pastor I know in regard to evangelism and meeting the needs of people in his community.”
Interested in Becoming a Church Consultant?
We are pleased to be partnering with the Jesus Moment Bible Institute and Seminary to be able to offer Free Church Consulting Training. Even if you are not looking to become a certified church consultant, the free church consultant training will be beneficial for your personal ministry.
One of the greatest questions Jesus asked was “Do You Want to Get Well?”
I t would seem that the answer was obvious. But getting well for the man who had been not well for a very long time meant that he would have to do something different. It is not easy to change, but it always starts with a first step.
Take that first step now by sceduling your no obligation, free thirty (30) minute Zoom meeting with us today. You have nothing to lose and it may be your first step to a new and healthy way of doing and being the church.
Don’t Wait Any Longer. Take The First Step Toward Getting Well Today!
